Half a Year Later  

("Chunin Exam Application Form!?")

"Big Brother Konohamaru! Konohamaru big broooother!!!"

Early in the morning, when there was just a sliver of light on the horizon, a vigorous shout of a teenage boy rang out from the residence where the jōnin Konohamaru lived.

Boruto stood in Konohamaru's courtyard, not conscious at all that he had trespassed into someone else's home and disturbed their sleep. He put both hands to his mouth like a megaphone and after shouting loudly several times, the wooden sliding door finally opened. Konohamaru with a sleeping robe on, his head drooping and eyes bleary, walked out and said, "What is it, it's Boruto huh...so spirited early in the morning, do you have some business with me?"

As he spoke, he let out a big yawn.

—He was easygoing indeed, and didn't seem to have morning temper.

In stark contrast to his listless manner, the blond boy's blue eyes shone brightly. He gesticulated eagerly and exaggeratedly as if asking for something urgently, "Please teach me the Rasengan, Brother! I want to learn this jutsu, now, immediately!"

Konohamaru's hand that was rubbing his eyes paused, and looked at Boruto incredulously, "You?! You want to learn the Rasengan? And you want me to teach you?"

Boruto clenched his right fist to his chest, his twinkling eyes looking at Konohamaru as he nodded heavily once, "Yeah! Konohamaru bro, be my teacher!"

Konohamaru was stunned for a good moment, then suddenly held up one fist vertically in front of himself, lowering his head and started to tremble all over, making strange noises in his throat. Then suddenly with tears streaming down his face he looked up, deeply moved as he spoke, "I didn't expect that I could teach you this jutsu as your teacher! This really is..."

He suddenly shouted towards the Hokage Rock, "Seventh Hokage! And Fourth Hokage! I will definitely complete this task!!!"

Boruto scratched his head with an awkward smile as he looked at him.

On the other hand, Chitose who also went to ask for tutelage did not have such smooth sailing, which was rare.

Although the black-haired boy apparently didn't do anything like going to wake up his teacher early loudly, after making a formal request to the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi Hatake, who had always indulged his disciples' desire to learn whatever they wanted, did not acquiesce as easily as before.

Chitose maintained a ninety-degree bow, and it took him quite a while to react that what he heard was indeed a rejection, not the lazy, smiling affirmative answer he used to give.

He looked up at Kakashi standing in the doorway, slight puzzlement in his dark eyes. Before he could say anything, Kakashi, who had been droopy-eyed and expressionless earlier, raised his hand and scratched the back of his head, averting his gaze upwards to the right, "Hmm, I guess I can also make a fair guess about the reason you came to learn swordsmanship..." He lowered his hand and leaned against the wall behind him, both hands tucked into his pockets, looking up at the sky with listless eyes.

"The Hatake clan was a clan renowned in the shinobi world for their sword skills long ago. Although not many descendants remained, they were still famous and esteemed figures about forty years ago...that's what those history books wrote, right?"

He paused here for a moment. In his eyes that the black-haired boy could not see, there was endless melancholy and sorrow.

Forty years ago... Of course.

At that time, his father Sakumo Hatake was in his prime, relying on his White Light Chakra Sabre, his name and might known throughout the Five Great Nations, creating countless legends. At that time, Father was an existence respected even by the Sannin of the previous generation. In terms of ability, perhaps only the Third Hokage could rival him.

He had always been proud of his father. Kakashi closed his eyes for a moment, then looked down at the little boy.

Chitose of course already understood about Kakashi's father, after all, the incident back then caused quite a stir. He pressed his lips tight, exchanged a gaze with Kakashi, a flicker passing through his black eyes as he averted his gaze slightly, avoiding eye contact. He was somewhat at a loss over what to do, then clenched his hands hanging by his sides tighter.

—He should have thought earlier that this willful request would remind Master Kakashi of that incident. He was too selfish, requesting to learn swordsmanship without considering that it would evoke painful memories for Master.

"Don't overthink it." Kakashi's low and lazy voice suddenly interrupted Chitose's self-reproachful thoughts. The silver-haired man pressed a hand on top of Chitose's head. The soft touch made him narrow his eyes in delight, then in the next moment, he heavily pressed down.

Chitose: "..."

"Hmm... Actually, I'm very happy that you want to learn the Hatake swordsmanship."

He removed his hand, then bent down, hands on his knees as he smiled at his young disciple with eyes bent, "Why do you want to learn swordsmanship?"

He paused for a moment, then seemingly casually added another sentence. But whether intentional or not, it only made the situation more confusing, "Or rather...why did you choose the sword as your weapon?"

Chitose casually tidied his disheveled hair, swept him a glance, "Intuition."

"Intuition?"

"Yes. I feel the katana would be the most suitable weapon for me, so I want to learn it. Is there a problem?"

The black-haired boy recalled that misty dream. Since the night he first awakened his Nen, he would arrive at that place almost every night in his dreams, listening to the metallic clangs made by swords. And recently, things in his dreams were increasingly realistic and clear. He knew, and had no doubt whatsoever, that it was his Nen ability.

A black katana, one that had an ominous red glow on its blade, elegant and dangerous.

Kakashi's eyes darkened abruptly as he stared down at him. "I see, no problems indeed. But I have to tell you, my dear disciple—"

He smiled. Rascal-like, he casually spread his hands, "—That like all those people seeking to learn from me over these years, I have to refuse you."

His tone was light and lazy, full of the noncommittal regret that matched his usual style. But the black-haired boy sensed something unusual hidden within it. He was slightly taken aback, as his unfathomable dark eyes gazed at the other person probingly, seeming to see through his mind with that look alone.

He never thought he would detect a trace of coldness in Kakashi's normally lazy yet tranquil voice, one that could almost be ignored. And he noticed it.

He didn't know what was wrong with his reply. But from this, he could tell that his teacher valued the inheritance of the Hatake swordsmanship more highly than he had imagined.

This meant that Kakashi's requirements for a successor would be extraordinarily harsh, and the training would be unimaginably rigorous. However, It would also mean obtaining formidable power.

His eyes became profound.

—He was determined to obtain the Hatake swordsmanship! His fathomless eyes silently stared at him. Kakashi maintained his spread-handed posture and allowed him to scrutinize.

Silence descended onto the air.

Finally, the black-haired boy scoffed slightly, taking the initiative to break the calm. He tucked one hand into his pocket, and suddenly took a step forward, looking straight up at Kakashi from close proximity. Yet the overwhelming aura he gave off instantly made up for his inferior height, his eyes as sharp as swords, piercing straight into the other person's heart.

His thin lips moved slightly as he hooked the edges of his lips elegantly, softly uttering a sentence. His tone carried traces of a smile belying his dark eyes, fully displaying confidence or even arrogance.

"You can't hide anything from these eyes of mine, Master Kakashi."

—With one sentence, the deep-rooted desire for control already ingrained within this young boy was laid bare.

This was the first time he revealed such an aggressive side to Kakashi, for the pursuit of power. Kakashi no longer had a smile on. His obsidian eyes gazed down condescendingly at him.

Chitose showed not a shred of fear as he returned the gaze. The edges of his lips did not have the slightest awkwardness or strain in their smile.

"I trust that you are indeed not proficient with swordsmanship. But I'm certain you would not allow the Hatake style to fade away without an heir."

He took a step back, returning to the original safe distance between them. The stifling aura around him also disappeared in an instant. He was clean and elegant with the faint smile, as if a different person from before.

He tilted his head slightly towards Kakashi, "It seems I have to first find the correct answer to the question from earlier." After speaking, he hooked his lips at Kakashi again, then nimbly vaulted over the apartment corridor railing with one hand, disappearing from Kakashi's sight.

The silver-haired man stood motionless for quite a long time before finally responding. He moved his hand which had turned rigid as stone unknowingly, lazily scratching his head. His expression changed several times before he mumbled to himself with a bitter face:

"Oh my, oh my...truly exceptional..."

He glanced at the spot Chitose stood earlier, sinking into thought.

His voice was low, carrying a severity completely unlike his usual carefree style. But buried deeper was an expectant heaviness that matched this black-haired boy's promise.

"Then let me witness whether or not you can find your own answer."

***

The black-haired boy swung the katana in his hand to and fro. He wore black skintight training clothes, wraps around his forearms and calves. His whole being looked stylish and handsome.

His motions were extremely standard. From raising the sword over his head to hacking down with full strength at a fixed spot, every movement in the process embodied strength and skill. And all of this was infused with aesthetic beauty because of the exquisite features and well-balanced figure of the person making those motions.

The slashing sounds of the sword cutting through air rang out incessantly, testifying to the boy's diligence in practice and its effects. Sweat drenched his black hair, the perspiration on his hair tips glistening brightly in the sunlight, scattering down several droplets as he moved, shimmering in iridescence.

"Chitose." A sweet yet emotionless voice interrupted the boy's motions.

Chitose turned while holding his sword, glancing at the girl walking out from behind a tree. He raised a shallow smile, looked up to gauge the time before sheathing his sword while striding towards her, "Is it time to gather?"

The girl nodded slightly, her crimson eyes fixed unblinkingly on the boy as he went to pick up the sword sheath and ninja pouch hanging on the lower tree branches, then walked to her side and asked, "Do you need to tidy up?"

The boy gave a slight nod showing neither affirmation nor denial, then said, "You can go to the gathering spot first. I'll be right there."

Ruri said tonelessly, "Don't worry. Kakashi-sensei will definitely be late anyway."

Chitose gave her a helpless look. He raised his right hand to form a hand seal - with a boom, he vanished in a puff of white smoke, returning home to shower and change. The girl slowly headed towards a small bridge at the village outskirts - their Squadron 3's fixed gathering spot, quietly evaluating her teammate's strength which had risen again.

That was the Body Flicker Jutsu just now. She sighed softly through pursed lips, touching the ring on her right hand. Then raising her hand, she gazed at her own fair finger tips, a hint of melancholy flashing through her crimson eyes.

She arrived at the bridge and waited boredly, leaning against the railing to stare at the clear flowing waters below. Suddenly, her eyes moved as her slender fingers twitched lightly. With a crisp "ding", a kunai shot out from the woods was knocked away by the short blade wielded by a puppet about as tall as the girl who had appeared by her side. It fell to the ground weakly, devoid of force.

The puppet was exquisitely crafted to resemble a red-haired girl just like its mistress, with black glassy eyes. It wore a dress similar to the girl's, just a more boyish style allowing easy movement. Its hands gripped a short blade.

A boy ran out from the woods. Seeing the situation, he broke out in cold sweat and quickly apologized: "Ah...sorry! I didn't know anyone was here!" He ran over to stand in front of the girl and scratched his head, smiling awkwardly at Ruri. The girl's expressionless crimson eyes swept over him once. Her slender right hand fingers moved dexterously. As if coming alive, the wooden puppet agilely sheathed its blade on its back. It then bent down to pick up the kunai and offered it to the boy, its expression as impassive as its mistress's.

The boy watched this scene in pleasant surprise and admiration. His eyes shining brightly, he was just about to say something when Ruri silenced him with an icy cold glance from those extremely beautiful crimson eyes: "Be careful when practicing throwing."

He was startled for a moment before hurriedly nodding, then scrambled away in panic.

Ruri's gaze followed him for a bit before detecting that shade of red in its periphery. The icy air on her face instantly vanished. Although still expressionless, her tone carried traces of a smile. "I knew it was you who came. So unlucky."

Yosuke's body went rigid. Just as he was about to say something, Chitose's cold voice rang out from behind, "Indeed. Having to dodge two basins of dirty water dumped from above isn't a very nice feeling on the way here."

The red-haired boy's face darkened as he shot an annoyed look at the black-clad boy, "If you could hear the hysterical screams and complaints from those female spirits around you, you would understand your current complaints are extremely rude and graceless."

The black-haired boy effortlessly understood that convoluted sentence. Then without any psychological burden, perfectly employing the assets gifted by his parents - Yosuke thought he was a scoundrel, he was self-taught and perfectly used the capital given to him by his parents. He raised his brows just right, flaunting his charm, "What a pity I can't hear them."

"Oh of course, or else you would know what a delicious slice of fragrant butter cream cake you are, attracting big and small female ghosts to crowd around you, surrounding you inside and out, not even a drop could pass through. You should be glad you can't see them." Yosuke said coldly with a black face, grumbling as he turned his head away. However, the white-haired girl's eyes lit up as she quietly trotted to Chitose's side and grasped the corner of his outer garment, exchanging a smile with him.

Yosuke was long used to the girl's special reliance and intimacy towards the black-haired boy. He looked at both of them, kept silent for a long while before sighing, "Fine. Once again, I apologize for the unwarranted misfortune I've brought you."

Ruri nodded seriously. "You're forgiven."

Chitose followed seamlessly, "I'll pass, perhaps this bit of bad luck happens to offset the distress I've caused you?"

The two exchanged a look before smiling at Yosuke together. The latter helplessly glanced between them, before also smiling involuntarily. However, in his icy blue eyes, a heaviness lingered like a shadow.

Yosuke was a cursed person. All his previous teammates, four people before and after, plus his greatly respected teacher...had either died or been crippled.

He no longer dared team up with others. No matter how strong one was, no one could escape the curse upon him.

But...

He stared steadfastly at his two new teammates, agony and anguish in his blue orbs as he struggled, almost masking the warmth deep inside.

Facing his arrogant words and attacks, his new teammates did not loathe and avoid him like he intended. Instead, seeing through his clumsy lies, they even used their formidable strength to defeat him, willing to accept and help him.

Of course he thirsted for camaraderie and companions, but the greater his longing, the more he didn't dare take that step. The better they treated him, the more panicked he became. Seeing these two fresh and beautiful lives before him, he couldn't even bear imagining them with pallid faces covered in blood. Just picturing it wrenched his heart like knives shredding it.

No no no! Even if Ruri's talent and mastery over puppetry was astounding, Chitose possessing jōnin-class might that rendered him completely helpless, and Kakashi-sensei being the esteemed previous Hokage, he still could not...No! It was exactly because they were so outstanding, exactly because they were so good, that was why he even more could not, absolutely could not tolerate any harm coming to them because of him! Absolutely could not!!

"... Yosuke." The black-haired boy's voice suddenly sounded by his ear. Jolted alert, the called boy immediately raised his head, meeting that pair of eyes gazing at him. In Yosuke's blue orbs swirled fragility and turmoil, even faint traces of pleading.

The black-haired boy naturally understood the significance behind that plea, but he would not give up his teammate. So without hesitation, he chose to ignore it. Placing his hand on Yosuke's shoulder, he tried to lend him some strength with his composed gaze. 

Yosuke unconsciously calmed down under it, his eyes no longer darting about. Then he saw Chitose's eyebrows soften as he lowered his voice:

"It'll be alright. Trust me, we'll all be fine."

The certainty and tranquility in those black eyes were so reassuring. The blonde boy dumbly met his gaze for quite a while, then pressed his lips before slowly nodding.

"Mn. I trust you."

Ruri watched them, warmth in her crimson eyes.

"...Hmm, after the first earth-shattering meeting half a year ago, you guys have finally grasped the core spirit of teamwork. Such touching progress." A lazy voice suddenly sounded behind the three. The silver-haired man eye-smiled at Chitose's not-surprised-at-all expression, Ruri's unperturbed eyes, and Yosuke's inscrutable eyes as he scratched his head. "Not cute at all... Sensei painstakingly thought up your next training plans before rushing over."

"If these past six months weren't filled with monotonous D-rank missions, we would have realized this sooner. And don't try to deceive us, Kakashi-sensei. The spirits beside you told me that you just sleep until late morning, leisurely finish your breakfast, and then lazily stroll over. Along the way, you enjoy countless greetings from villagers and even take a detour to the Hokage Tower." Yosuke said expressionlessly, crossing his arms.

Kakashi chuckled, "Well, well, Yosuke's intelligence remains as sharp as ever, haha..."

His three disciples did not take his bait at all, only watching him silently with similar coldness.

Of course, it was deliberately done. Half a year ago when they first became a team, Chitose had already taught the other two using action - facing this teacher's fooled eyes and evasiveness, the best method was this.

The average looks of three genin of squad 3 was clearly very high. And their collective emotionless stares had tremendous might, even the Sixth Hokage who had long trained his skin thick as city walls soon admitted defeat. But don't expect him to give up just like this.

He smiled as he took out a piece of paper, unfolding it before their eyes. Then satisfied, harvested three pairs of eyes that instantly widened.

"Chūnin Exams Application Form!?"

Three voices, surprised, excited, overlapping as one, startled a lively fish passing under the bridge.